Business
Heritance Ahungalla triumphs at the Great Indian Food Festival in Singapore, clinching top honors
Heritance Ahungalla, part of the Sri Lankan premier hospitality chain Aitken Spence Hotels, has achieved a resounding victory at The Great Indian Food Festival held in Singapore. The esteemed event, organised by the Indian Chef Association, witnessed Heritance Ahungalla representing Sri Lanka securing the coveted first place in the ‘three-course Indian menu’ category.
Representing Sri Lanka with culinary finesse, Heritance Ahungalla emerged triumphant among strong contenders, surpassing India, who secured the second position, and Japan, clinching third place. The victory underscores Heritance Ahungalla’s commitment to culinary excellence and innovation, showcasing the depth and authenticity of Sri Lankan flavours on an international platform.
The Great Indian Food Festival, held on 9 December as part of a 14-day celebration highlighting the richness of Indian culinary heritage, brought together a plethora of flavours, from traditional favourites to innovative reimaginations of classic dishes. This esteemed gathering showcased trendsetting creations by local and regional chefs, celebrating the diverse and rich tapestry of Indian cuisine.
Two exceptional chefs from Heritance Ahungalla including Executive Chef Kamal Surendrajith proudly represented Sri Lanka at the festival, exhibiting their expertise and mastery in crafting a delectable three-course Indian menu that captivated the taste buds of the esteemed judges and attendees alike.
Speaking about this momentous achievement, Aitken Spence Hotels Jt. Managing Director Susith Jayawickrama expressed, “We are immensely proud of our team at Heritance Ahungalla for this remarkable win. Their dedication to showcasing their skills representing our island nation on an international stage has been truly exemplary. This victory reinforces our commitment to delivering unparalleled culinary experiences and celebrating the diverse flavours that our properties have to offer.”
Aitken Spence Hotels Ambassador for Heritance Cuisine/ Chefs & Culinary Art Development and Asst. Vice President of Food and Beverage Chef Dimuthu Kumarasinghe was also invited as an esteemed judge for The Great Indian Food Festival, however, refrained from judging the category of the aforementioned win.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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